Nautical instrument



Aug; 23, 1927.

G. KoFFsKEY NAUTICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Jan. 8, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 W/TNESSES ATTR/VEYS Aug, 23 1927.

G. KoEFsKEY NAUTIC-AL nis TRUMENT Filed Jan. 8, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Humm A TTUR/VEYS Aug. 23,1927.

G. /KoFFsKEY NAUTICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Jan. 8, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 A TTORNEYS ?atented Aug. 23, 1927.

sairare GEORGE norrfvsknjr, oFNEW-onnnans, LOUISIANA.

.y NAUTICAL INSTRUMENT;

Application filed January 8, 1924. Serial No. 685,031.

The present inventitmV relates to new 4and useful improvements in nautical instru ments, and v`it pertains more particularly to means for determining `positions ot' ships at or locations on land with especial respectto latitudes.

It is one or the objects of the present invention to provide a means whereby the lati'- tude position of an'object either at sea or on land may be easily determined by a simpler method than the ones at'fpresent commonly employed. y'

it is a further object of theinvention to provide aninetrunient to determine latitude and longitude position, using as a'basis observationsy of one of the heavenly bodies and the interval of time between observations.

l/vlfith the above and other objects in view,rv reference is had to the accompanying draw-- ings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view showing the parts in an adjusted position;

Fig. 3 is a. top plan view ofthe 'invention showing an attachment usedv therewith;

Fie. l is a similar view showing the parts in a different position;

F ig. 5 is a top plan view showing the use of the attachment in the term or a templet;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on a slightly enlarged scale, and von the line (1-7 o'liiig. 1;

Fig. 8 is adetail sectional view on an enlarged Vscale oi the center' bushing or bearing or the device.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the de icecompris'es a board 10, and such board is provided with an opening 11. li'ounted in the opening 11, therev is a bushing 12, one end oi which is flanged as at 13, theother end being screw-threaded to receive a nut lil, by means ofwhich the bushing is secured to 'the board 10. The flange 13 and the nut 112 are countersunk in order that they may be flush with their respective sides or' the board 10.y Y

Thereiference numerall 7) designates a pintle or stub shaft adapted to be received within the bushing 12, and said stub shaft has a flange 16, a squared portion' 17 and a threaded end 18. Thev ilange 16 of the pintle or ,stubv shaftl isadapted to rest.y upon the topY offthe board lor'rather upon a paper or other memorandum surface 19-which in turn ris supported'on the top tace of the board. E i Mounted upon the squared portionrl oi the pint-le or stub ,shaft 15, there is a sub'-y stantially.trianglefshaped member 20, having an angular side 21', a straight side 22, and a curved side 23.V Extending parallel with the straight side 22, there is Aan elon- (F5 rgated slot 24 and arranged atvrightrangles to'said slot andeXtending along the angular side 21, there are grooves 25 and 26 (Figure 7), the groove 25 being on the top O tace or the triangular memberI 20, while the n groove 26 (Fig. v7) is on the lower race thereof. Extending through. these grooves 25 and 26, there is a slot 27. The purpose oi'V these slots24f and 27k will be yhereinafter more specilically described. The under i groove 26 is adapted to receive the 'flange 16 of the pintle or stub shaft 15, and the upper, groove 25 is adapted to receivela washer/or the like, 28. Mounted on top or' the wa 28 and secured thereon by means or a w .C nut or the like, 29, there is an arm or pointer 30, and said arm or pointer 36 has its' outer end bent'downwardly, as shown at31. .F Le. ure 6), in order that the extremity 32will lie in close relation to the writing surface or paper 19. v

The member 20 isprovided at each endy of thestraight side 22, with bearing blocks or the like, 33, and such bearing blocks 33 are internally screw-threaded forthe reccir tion of bolts 34. AThese bolts 34 carry a` bar 35 shown in Figs. 3 and hand the bolts 34 by reason of theirl engagement with the bearings 33, form means'by which the is adjustable in parallel relation to the il straight side 22 of the member 20. By this construction it is apparent` that the member 2() is movable over thesuriiace ot the board or the writing surface 19, and that the arm or pointer 30 is movable oversaidsura-ce, Wl and the arm 30 and the member 20 are ca-v pable of independent movement or move-l ment together, asthe case mayr be. Fui therrnore,` by this construction, the bar 35 is adjustable in parallel relation to the W5 straight side V227oif'the member 20, by means of the screws 34, as heretofore stated.

ByV reference to Figs. 1 and2, it will he noted thatthe writing'surface :19 comprises ilo al sheet of paper, board, or the like, marked with a. circle 40,'calibrated as at 41, and di viding it finto 3605 degrees.

In Fig. 5 Vis shown a teinplet inor use in lieu of the member 20, such templet coinprising a curved member having its outer end provided With straight edges 51. The

templet is provided with a pin 52 at its inne end, which pin is adapted to be received in thebushing. 12 when the teinplet is used iii lieu of the member 20. The space between these straight edges 51 is the eruiivalent et 15 degrees or one hour on the circle heretofore mentioned as divided into 360 degrees, the purpose oie. which will be hereinafter described. `rlhe bushing member 12 has a recess 12 in its upper end, and suoli recess :terms the means for `receiving the head otapin or the like, 56, which is adapted to be i'eceived Within the bushing; nar ser 12. -ihis'y pin, 56 has a centrally disposed recess 57, which forms means -lier receiving` one leg or" a compass or dividers in order that the same may be used over the writing surface 19, with the vaxial center et the bushing` forming; the pivotal point of such compass or dividers.

By reference to 2, it will be noted that the straight edge 22 oii'the member 2O is provided with two clips 60. vsuch clips being adjustable along` the stra' it edn'e 22 in a manner and for a purpose to be hereinafter specically described.

The Vprinciple on which the more usual methods oi iinding the latitude depend will be understood. from the following'.

To an observer at the earths equator, the celestial poles are in the horizon rand the meridian point oit the equator is inthe zenith. 1f the observer travel northward over 1 degree oi' the meridian, the north celestial pole will appear-1 degree above the horizon while th-e meridian point otV the restrial pole, the pole ot the heavens would be in the zenith and the celestial equator in the horizon. The same is true with regard to the Southern Hemisphere. lt thus appears that to determine the latitude ot a place We'have' only to :lind the elevation of the pole above the obseivei"s horizon with pole corrected i''or position or the zenith distance oi" the meridian point to the equator. (The latitude of the equator is the complement of its altitude.) There the observa-tions are made morning); or er, east or west oi'' the meridian and the knots or miles i or diile latitude made and the ltitude scribed on Writing surface 19, the instrumentwill show the increase or decrease ot latitude by tation and which can konly be placed b v the altitude and diiierences oit time intervals when the observations were made.

As an aid to the navigator: Vlflie method ot working the instrument lfor determining the time or hour angle :from two observations of any heavenly bodyy ofi" the meridian any time day or night by taking the iirst observation and correcting the sani-e for the Ychange of ships position to the time oi the On the writing` surface the altitude lines are scribed with the declination 230 south,'and the triangular member placed in position as shown with the pointer atzero wand the straight edge 22 'coinciding with the declination line. Rotate the triangular member until the pointer showsan approximate latitude and place the clip asV shown in Figure 2 on the first altitude line. NOW rotate the triangular member increasing theV latitude 15 or 1go due to change vof ships position. A set square placed against the straight edge 22 Where it crosses the second altitude line and projected or squared over to divisions onthe circle drawn with radius XY, at a glance will show the degree, and the set square placed against the clip will also show the degree. were made one hour, or sixty minutes apart, or 150, the difference of degrees must show 15D for the pointer to indicate the correcty latitude. 1f it does not show spaces or divisions equalling` 50, rotate the triangular member until you get the 15"V divi-sion, then the pointer willindieate the latitude and time. lt is to be remembered that every time the latitude is increased the clip must be placed Ion the iirst observation line before rotating the triangular m-einber the 15minutes or miles, the change in latitude due to the change ol" lthe ships position.

The 'foregoing position of the triangular member 2O is determined as follows {Reference is had to Figure 1. The edge my, previously referred to as the straight side 22, is placed parallel with thecenter line between zenith and nadir in a position 23 26 'to the lett as shown, this representing' the l di) fis the observations civil time at the time of taking the altitude of the heavenly body, and by subtracting l2 from this civil time it Will agree With the time recorded on the ships chronometer Greenwich mean time. The slot 27 isfor the obvious purpose of permitting' movement of the member 20 to any declination set o from the center' line (Zenith and nadir) l either on the left or on the right side. 'When the ot the declination is minus in the almanac the instrument. is placed as shown, in Figure 1. y

But when the declination in the almanac shows positive the instrument is reversed7 in other Words the edge 22 will be disposed parallel to the zenith and nadir lines but i230 20 to the right. The slot 27 permits shifting; the triangular member 20 around as may he necessaryj and the slot is purposely not cut through the ends of the member 20. The grooves 25 on each side accommodate the collar 16 and Washer 28 (Fig. 7 of the pivot pin and permit the member -20 to lay flat upon the graduated sheet 19 when using` the instrument. v

rifhe first observation made at Greenvwich apparent time 8 hrs., 55 mins., 14 secs.,y and We lind by the triangular member (see Vlilxample 1 following) that the time at irst observation was 2 hrs., 55 mins.7 `lesecs.7 hicfi shows longitude oi" 00. 2 hrs.. 55 mins.. 14 secszlSO-etS/-SO 90O--4L3O S-30:416O-l130. 16O-11-'30- 80O:16-1130 or latitude. The time ot the second 'observation as found by the 29-45 lat.

(37449*10 co alt nat havsin =I Log Log Vhour triangularr member Was 8 hrs., 55 mins., 14 secs., (see Example 2 yfollowing) which equals 58O-48-30. 90-58OM4830: 31O-1l30. 31O-1130-30O latitude:1-11-340. The difference of if.' 1GO`-11-30 and 1O-11-30" equals 15O 'or one hour in time between observations which indicates the latitude 300 is correct. lllhen the triangular member vis revolved and the pointer shows the latitude, the upper leading` edge ot the trie Aular member fiould show on the outer circle the latitude also.; In this case 30 latitude plus nec-lination lo-zO-QG should show on circle atV thestraightedge of the triangular men'iber; if the declination is north 300 less 23.026260-34. Yilhen the apparent time c toundby observations ot thesun and sub- .,.aeted from lreenu'ich apparent time.r it ils the lonptude. @it any other body, the

angle is obtained and the ii'ieht ascenn of' lcody and the ht atten-sion mean n applied to that hoi inale and sul ed from Greenwich time to the lon;V` The time ot the foregoing lirstobservation is determined by the process in?? ple 1: The position of the vessel i latitude 29o 115 at the time the first obsei tion kWas made, and the course oi the ve being` assumed to he NE. it lgained in la tude so as to be 300. Vlhereore.y the correction or the altitude 220 10 50 brought trom 111.. and corrected 'to 300 latitiith` made the foregoing' altitude to fail to Q20 altitude. lThis is proved as follows:

9.041470 .11086 rNHS sec 29-45 .0613.8 see 23-20 .03738 l .09876 Now 22o alt at 30? lat and 25E-26 dec=25514 eo .c6247 i 10g Secs 9o Z3 26:.03738 alt 22 se 2e .09985 @e ait-e8 nat hamm: .31270 f n havv sm equals .20212 .20212 Log hav lsin 9.04368=n`at HS .11058 Hrs.- Min.- See.

i The 'time ci? the second observation is determined by the process lin EXam'pleQ:

Now 90 00 OO An 12 1c 45 Coalt 77-l315 nat hav sin= .39364 .20212 log havsin Y Nat Hs. @119152::928221 Log l-l. sin 9.38206 equals 30 lat '23 25 dec Hrs. Min. *Sec' 3-55-13 5s :zeY Nus. v:20212 8g 18 30 so 00 0c Y )58 lnlat at neutral position Respective hour angle north 300 lat and 23o-28 dec south.

The bar 35, `described in connection with Figures 3 and 4t, is used under the i'ollowing circumstance: Upon making the ifo-re ygoing lirst observation of the sun or other heavenly body oii the meridian,I record of the samevand note oit Greenwich mean time are made simultaneously. Upon taking the second observation, 1 hr. later, record is again made off the same with Greenwich mean time. The intervals of time between observations obviously may be more or less than one hour. ,The two observations taken with the seXtant are corrected for refraction, etc. and are then scribed lightly on a graduated sheet 19 shown in Figure 2.

rlhe instrument is nowplaced as in Figure 3. rlhe edge 22 of the triangular member'QO is set parallel and even with one o1 the altitudes aid oftl on the graduated sheet (see altitude 22o 10 50 of the rst observation in Figure 2). rlhe screws permit oit adjustment ofthe space between the inner edge or -face et the bar 35 and the edge 22 of the triangular member so that the desired registration with various altitude lines scribed upon the sheet 29 may be had.

rlhe jam nuts, with which the screws 3l are equipped are then tightened so that the space or opening ier the altitudes on the sheet cannot change position when the trijangular member` is shifted upon its pivot.

New place the pointer 30 at 0 at any `convenient place as at Figure 3. The thumb -from the zenith oi" 73-48-30 and this subtracted fron 880-118-3O leaves a remain-v d er of 150:21 hr. the interval of observation and also 30o the latitude subtracted 'from each.

73 is 30 30 00 O() 15H3 48 30 lat at neutral position screw 29 must be loosened to permit adjusting the triangular member until theconfrontingv inner edge of the bar and the edge 22 coincide with the altitude lines. lli/Then the instrument is turned to the right the openings between the bar 235 and the member 30 assume an angle with respect to the declination vertical line as in Figure fl, and the pointer 30 will indicate the degrees and minutes of arcs of turning movement representing the' angle moved. s

You assume the latitude and turn the triangular member 2O until the pointer 3G in dicates that latitude. New with a sharp pointed pencil scribe the two intersections of the confronting inner edges of and 2O with the declination vertical line. These two points of intersection are squared or projected over tothe inner circle (see Fig.

The triangular member 2O is now removed and the pin 56 8) put in place in the bushing 12. 1

Place the edge ot a straight edge at. the center and through each point on the inner circle. rlhe degrees and minutes of declination'i'rom the zenith are recorded on the outer circle, and these degrees and minutes otl arcs divided by 15 will give the loca-l time oli' observation. lt the observations are madeon shipboard, and the vessel changes position after the first observation, say 10 or 15 miles of latitude before scribing the last observation across thev declination line` move the triangular member'to an extent to agree with the change of latitude recorded (ill by the oiiicer on watch andthen scribe the -line across the declination line and project or squareit over to the inner circle.

Now itt the interval oit time between the two observations was l-liour this' would equal.

' lo@ tuattlie points mentioned betere as hai These are made of spring brass or other suitable material, ot such construction that they can be sprung openby the linger and thumb and placed upon that portion'ot the member 2O adjoining the` edge 22.. The adjustment 'ot the clips is as follows:

It the declination is 230 26 an innercircle is scribed upon the sheet 19 inconcentric relationshiplwith theouter circle, and ot a radius equal to the. scribed vertical line otl declination 23o 26 (see Fig. 5). After scribing this circle the hour angle is laid oit as follows: Say l hours lozOO trom the zenith either to the right or lett depend ing on whether the declination is positive or negative. From the 600 division a line is drawn to the center of the graduated sheet and as this line crosses the declination circle the spot where the intersection occurs Vis marked. This spot or point (see Fig. is projected or squared over to the vertical declination line as seen at points C and D, respectively representing three and tour hours.

Now the two clips, mentioned before, are placed at these points, the member 20 lirst having been moved until the edge 22 is parallel with the vertical declination line. It the member 2O is now rotated to the lett and the points marked by the clips are made to intersect the two altitude lines at one and the same time vthe pointer will indicate the desired altitude.

it the clips do not touch the lines atone and the same time, the hour angles 3 and 4 are changed for other hour angles and the member 20 is rotated more or less by trial and error until the hour angles and altitude lines do agree, whereupon the pointer will indicate the latitude. No matterwhat la-titude the position of the ship may be at the time ot observationy laid down and the interval of time taken into consideration, it is a matter ot tact that the proper location will be at hand when the instrument is turned to its proper position or angle.l The adjustable feature ot the two clips as brought out in the foregoing` description makes it apparent that no scale upon the member 20 is required in order to guide the adjustment.

lthe templet.

Reference is made-to Figure 5. The templet yshown is simply la piece ot -VBristol board withv with a suitable pivot upon which it may -ievolve when moved to the rightv or lett by the operator. y eclination isstruck on tlnst'emplet (see the As the inner circle'ot the i c at the'entremity of the templet) and the 'twoy points orcorners at the arcs are 15 apart, the templet may be moved around by f the operator until the angle lthat bisects the a titude lines when projected or squared over trom the verticaldeclination line coincides `withithe foregoing'l5o points or corners on The latitude reading, is thus secured audit-the latitude is subtracted'trom the Ireadings thus secured and from the zenith the hour angles are: obtained in the preceding-example. The temp'let merely -aids to speed the operation. V What is vclaimedis:

l. A nautical instrument comprising in combination, a board, a substantially ,triair guiar member, means .for pivotally and fslid ably -niounting said ktriangular member on ythe'surface ofsaid board, and a'pointerpivot-ally carried by said means.

2. A position determining 'instrument comprising in combination, a board having a bushing bearing therein and bearing a writing surface having a graduatedcircle thereon whose center coincides with the lonitudinal center oit said bushing bearing, a substantially triangular member adapted tor movement over said writing surface, means for pivotally mounting` said triangular member on said board, said means comprising a pin adapted to tit in said bushing bearing, kand a pointer adjustably carried by said means and having its free end adapted to indicate over the graduations of said grad uated circle.

A position determining instrument comprising in combination, a board, a substantially triangular member, means mounting the member on the board for pivotal sliding movement thereover, a pointer carried by said means, and a bai-'carried by said triangular member and spaced with respect to one ot the side edges thereof in the plane ot said member.-

1l. A position determining instrument comprising' in combination, a board, a substantially triangular member, means mounting the member on the board for pivotal spect to one of the side edges of the triangular member and capable or' angular adjustment in the plane ot said member and with respect to the side edgefroml which it is` spaced.

t3. A position determining instrument comprising in combination7 a board, a subn stantially triangular member, means upon which said member is mounted for sliding and pivotal movement over one surface of said boardvand provided with a plurality of elongated slots said elongated slots being positioned at right angles to each other and one of said slots receiving said means, a pointer mounted upon said means for adjustment over said board, and ay plurality ot resilient clips mounted for adjustment longitudinally of the other ol said elongated slots.

7. A position determining instrument comprising in combination, a board, a substantially triangular member having one straight side, means upon vwhich said triangular member is mounted for sliding and pivotal movement With respect to one surace of said board, a bearing mounted at ing a bushing bearing therein and bearing a., -writing surtaee having graduated circle thereon whose center coincides with the longit-udinal axis of said bushing bearing,y a

substantially triangular memberada-pted for movement over saidy Writing surface and having a longitudinal slot in its base, means 'lor pivotally mounting saidtriangular mem-V ber on said board,saidV means comprising a pin passing through the slotlin the triangudetermining instrument i Ll l) lar member andengaging said bushing bear ing whereby a sliding movement-.oiisaid tri "ngular member relative to said Writing surfe is permitted, and a pointer adjustably 'arried by said pivot means for over the graduations of said circle.

' (monos Korrsimr.

indicating Y graduatedV 

